Part C—Education of Migratory Children
§6391. Program purposes
The purposes of this part are as follows:
(1) To assist States in supporting high-quality and comprehensive educational programs and services during the school year and, as applicable, during summer or intersession periods, that address the unique educational needs of migratory children.
(2) To ensure that migratory children who move among the States are not penalized in any manner by disparities among the States in curriculum, graduation requirements, and challenging State academic standards.
(3) To ensure that migratory children receive full and appropriate opportunities to meet the same challenging State academic standards that all children are expected to meet.
(4) To help migratory children overcome educational disruption, cultural and language barriers, social isolation, various health-related problems, and other factors that inhibit the ability of such children to succeed in school.
(5) To help migratory children benefit from State and local systemic reforms.
(
Editorial Notes
Prior Provisions
A prior section 6391,
Amendments
2015—
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date of 2015 Amendment
Amendment by
§6392. Program authorized
In order to carry out the purpose of this part, the Secretary shall make grants to State educational agencies, or combinations of such agencies, to establish or improve, directly or through local operating agencies, programs of education for migratory children in accordance with this part.
(
Editorial Notes
Prior Provisions
A prior section 6392,
§6393. State allocations
(a) State allocations
Except as provided in subsection (c), each State (other than the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico) is entitled to receive under this part an amount equal to the product of—
(1) the sum of—
(A) the average number of identified eligible migratory children aged 3 through 21 residing in the State, based on data for the preceding 3 years; and
(B) the number of identified eligible migratory children, aged 3 through 21, who received services under this part in summer or intersession programs provided by the State during the previous year; multiplied by
(2) 40 percent of the average per-pupil expenditure in the State, except that the amount determined under this paragraph shall not be less than 32 percent, nor more than 48 percent, of the average per-pupil expenditure in the United States.
(b) Hold harmless
Notwithstanding subsection (a), for each of fiscal years 2017 through 2019, no State shall receive less than 90 percent of the State's allocation under this section for the preceding fiscal year.
(c) Allocation to Puerto Rico
(1) In general
For each fiscal year, the grant that the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico shall be eligible to receive under this part shall be the amount determined by multiplying the number of children who would be counted under subsection (a)(1) if such subsection applied to the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico by the product of—
(A) the percentage that the average per-pupil expenditure in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico is of the lowest average per-pupil expenditure of any of the 50 States, subject to paragraphs (2) and (3); and
(B) 32 percent of the average per-pupil expenditure in the United States.
(2) Minimum percentage
The percentage described in paragraph (1)(A) shall not be less than 85 percent.
(3) Limitation
If the application of paragraph (2) for any fiscal year would result in any of the 50 States or the District of Columbia receiving less under this part than it received under this part for the preceding fiscal year, then the percentage described in paragraph (1)(A) that is used for the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico for the fiscal year for which the determination is made shall be the greater of the percentage in paragraph (1)(A) for such fiscal year or the percentage used for the preceding fiscal year.
(d) Ratable reductions; reallocations
(1) In general
(A) Ratable reductions
If, after the Secretary reserves funds under
(B) Reallocation
If additional funds become available for making such payments for any fiscal year, the Secretary shall allocate such funds to States in amounts that the Secretary determines will best carry out the purposes of this part.
(2) Special rule
(A) Further reductions
The Secretary shall further reduce the amount of any grant to a State under this part for any fiscal year if the Secretary determines, based on available information on the numbers and needs of migratory children in the State and the program proposed by the State to address such needs, that such amount exceeds the amount required under
(B) Reallocation
The Secretary shall reallocate such excess funds to other States whose grants under this part would otherwise be insufficient to provide an appropriate level of services to migratory children, in such amounts as the Secretary determines are appropriate.
(e) Consortium arrangements
(1) In general
In the case of a State that receives a grant of $1,000,000 or less under this section, the Secretary shall consult with the State educational agency to determine whether consortium arrangements with another State or other appropriate entity would result in delivery of services in a more effective and efficient manner.
(2) Proposals
Any State, regardless of the amount of such State's allocation, may submit a consortium arrangement to the Secretary for approval.
(3) Approval
The Secretary shall approve a consortium arrangement under paragraph (1) or (2) if the proposal demonstrates that the arrangement will—
(A) reduce administrative costs or program function costs for State programs; and
(B) make more funds available for direct services to add substantially to the academic achievement of children to be served under this part.
(f) Determining numbers of eligible children
In order to determine the identified number of migratory children residing in each State for purposes of this section, the Secretary shall—
(1) use the most recent information that most accurately reflects the actual number of migratory children;
(2) develop and implement a procedure for monitoring the accuracy of such information;
(3) develop and implement a procedure for more accurately reflecting cost factors for different types of summer and intersession program designs;
(4) adjust the number of migratory children who reside in each State to take into account—
(A) the unique needs of those children participating in effective special programs provided under this part that operate during the summer and intersession periods; and
(B) the additional costs of operating such programs; and
(5) conduct an analysis of the options for adjusting the formula so as to better direct services to migratory children, including the most at-risk migratory children.
(g) Nonparticipating States
In the case of a State desiring to receive an allocation under this part for a fiscal year that did not receive an allocation for the previous fiscal year or that has been participating for less than 3 consecutive years, the Secretary shall calculate the State's number of identified migratory children aged 3 through 21 for purposes of subsection (a)(1)(A) by using the most recent data available that identifies the migratory children residing in the State until data is available to calculate the 3-year average number of such children in accordance with such subsection.
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Editorial Notes
Prior Provisions
A prior section 6393,
Amendments
2015—Subsecs. (a), (b).
Subsec. (c).
Subsec. (d).
Subsec. (e).
Subsec. (f).
Subsec. (f)(1).
Subsec. (f)(2), (3).
Subsec. (f)(4).
Subsec. (f)(5).
Subsec. (g).
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date of 2015 Amendment
Amendment by
Migrant Education Program
§6394. State applications; services
(a) Application required
Any State desiring to receive a grant under this part for any fiscal year shall submit an application to the Secretary at such time and in such manner as the Secretary may require.
(b) Program information
Each such application shall include—
(1) a description of how, in planning, implementing, and evaluating programs and projects assisted under this part, the State and its local operating agencies will ensure that the unique educational needs of migratory children, including preschool migratory children and migratory children who have dropped out of school, are identified and addressed through—
(A) the full range of services that are available for migratory children from appropriate local, State, and Federal educational programs;
(B) joint planning among local, State, and Federal educational programs serving migratory children, including language instruction educational programs under part A of subchapter III;
(C) the integration of services available under this part with services provided by those other programs; and
(D) measurable program objectives and outcomes;
(2) a description of the steps the State is taking to provide all migratory students with the opportunity to meet the same challenging State academic standards that all children are expected to meet;
(3) a description of how the State will use funds received under this part to promote interstate and intrastate coordination of services for migratory children, including how the State will provide for educational continuity through the timely transfer of pertinent school records, including information on health, when children move from one school to another, whether or not such move occurs during the regular school year;
(4) a description of the State's priorities for the use of funds received under this part, and how such priorities relate to the State's assessment of needs for services in the State;
(5) a description of how the State will determine the amount of any subgrants the State will award to local operating agencies, taking into account the numbers and needs of migratory children, the requirements of subsection (d), and the availability of funds from other Federal, State, and local programs; and
(6) a description of how the State will encourage programs and projects assisted under this part to offer family literacy services if the program or project serves a substantial number of migratory children whose parents do not have a high school diploma or its recognized equivalent or who have low levels of literacy.
(c) Assurances
Each such application shall also include assurances that—
(1) funds received under this part will be used only—
(A) for programs and projects, including the acquisition of equipment, in accordance with
(B) to coordinate such programs and projects with similar programs and projects within the State and in other States, as well as with other Federal programs that can benefit migratory children and their families;
(2) such programs and projects will be carried out in a manner consistent with the objectives of
(3) in the planning and operation of programs and projects at both the State and local agency operating level, there is consultation with parents of migratory children, including parent advisory councils, for programs not less than 1 school year in duration, and that all such programs and projects are carried out—
(A) in a manner that provides for the same parental involvement as is required for programs and projects under
(B) in a format and language understandable to the parents;
(4) in planning and carrying out such programs and projects, there has been, and will be, adequate provision for addressing the unmet education needs of preschool migratory children and migratory children who have dropped out of school;
(5) the effectiveness of such programs and projects will be determined, where feasible, using the same approaches and standards that will be used to assess the performance of students, schools, and local educational agencies under part A;
(6) such programs and projects will provide for outreach activities for migratory children and their families to inform such children and families of other education, health, nutrition, and social services to help connect them to such services;
(7) to the extent feasible, such programs and projects will provide for—
(A) advocacy and other outreach activities for migratory children and their families, including helping such children and families gain access to other education, health, nutrition, and social services;
(B) professional development programs, including mentoring, for teachers and other program personnel;
(C) family literacy programs;
(D) the integration of information technology into educational and related programs; and
(E) programs to facilitate the transition of secondary school students to postsecondary education or employment; and
(8) the State will assist the Secretary in determining the number of migratory children under
(d) Priority for services
In providing services with funds received under this part, each recipient of such funds shall give priority to migratory children who have made a qualifying move within the previous 1-year period and who—
(1) are failing, or most at risk of failing, to meet the challenging State academic standards; or
(2) have dropped out of school.
(e) Continuation of services
Notwithstanding any other provision of this part—
(1) a child who ceases to be a migratory child during a school term shall be eligible for services until the end of such term;
(2) a child who is no longer a migratory child may continue to receive services for 1 additional school year, but only if comparable services are not available through other programs; and
(3) students who were eligible for services in secondary school may continue to be served through credit accrual programs until graduation.
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Editorial Notes
Prior Provisions
A prior section 6394,
Amendments
2015—Subsec. (b)(1).
Subsec. (b)(1)(B).
Subsec. (b)(1)(D).
Subsec. (b)(2).
Subsec. (b)(3).
Subsec. (b)(5).
Subsec. (b)(6), (7).
Subsec. (c).
Subsec. (c)(2).
Subsec. (c)(3).
Subsec. (c)(3)(A).
Subsec. (c)(4).
Subsec. (c)(6) to (8).
Subsec. (d).
Subsec. (e)(3).
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date of 2015 Amendment
Amendment by
§6395. Secretarial approval; peer review
The Secretary shall approve each State application that meets the requirements of this part, and may review any such application with the assistance and advice of State officials and other officials with relevant expertise.
(
Editorial Notes
Prior Provisions
A prior section 6395,
Amendments
2015—
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date of 2015 Amendment
Amendment by
§6396. Comprehensive needs assessment and service-delivery plan; authorized activities
(a) Comprehensive plan
(1) In general
Each State that receives assistance under this part shall ensure that the State and its local operating agencies identify and address the unique educational needs of migratory children in accordance with a comprehensive State plan that—
(A) is integrated with other programs under this chapter or other Acts, as appropriate;
(B) may be submitted as a part of a consolidated application under
(i) the unique needs of migratory children are specifically addressed in the comprehensive State plan;
(ii) the comprehensive State plan is developed in collaboration with parents of migratory children; and
(iii) the comprehensive State plan is not used to supplant State efforts regarding, or administrative funding for, this part;
(C) provides that migratory children will have an opportunity to meet the same challenging State academic standards that all children are expected to meet;
(D) specifies measurable program goals and outcomes;
(E) encompasses the full range of services that are available for migratory children from appropriate local, State, and Federal educational programs;
(F) is the product of joint planning among such local, State, and Federal programs, including programs under part A, early childhood programs, and language instruction educational programs under part A of subchapter III; and
(G) provides for the integration of services available under this part with services provided by such other programs.
(2) Duration of the plan
Each such comprehensive State plan shall—
(A) remain in effect for the duration of the State's participation under this part; and
(B) be periodically reviewed and revised by the State, as necessary, to reflect changes in the State's strategies and programs under this part.
(b) Authorized activities
(1) Flexibility
In implementing the comprehensive plan described in subsection (a), each State educational agency, where applicable through its local educational agencies, retains the flexibility to determine the activities to be provided with funds made available under this part, except that such funds first shall be used to meet the identified needs of migratory children that result from their migratory lifestyle, and to permit these children to participate effectively in school.
(2) Unaddressed needs
Funds provided under this part shall be used to address the needs of migratory children that are not addressed by services available from other Federal or non-Federal programs, except that migratory children who are eligible to receive services under part A may receive those services through funds provided under that part, or through funds under this part that remain after the agency addresses the needs described in paragraph (1).
(3) Construction
Nothing in this part shall be construed to prohibit a local educational agency from serving migratory children simultaneously with students with similar educational needs in the same educational settings, where appropriate.
(4) Special rule
Notwithstanding
(
Editorial Notes
Prior Provisions
A prior section 6396,
Amendments
2015—Subsec. (a)(1).
Subsec. (a)(1)(B).
Subsec. (a)(1)(B)(i).
Subsec. (a)(1)(C).
Subsec. (a)(1)(F).
Subsec. (b)(1).
Subsec. (b)(4).
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date of 2015 Amendment
Amendment by
§6397. Bypass
The Secretary may use all or part of any State's allocation under this part to make arrangements with any public or private agency to carry out the purpose of this part in such State if the Secretary determines that—
(1) the State is unable or unwilling to conduct educational programs for migratory children;
(2) such arrangements would result in more efficient and economic administration of such programs; or
(3) such arrangements would add substantially to the educational achievement of such children.
(
Editorial Notes
Prior Provisions
A prior section 6397,
Amendments
2015—
Par. (3).
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date of 2015 Amendment
Amendment by
§6398. Coordination of migrant education activities
(a) Improvement of coordination
(1) In general
The Secretary, in consultation with the States, may make grants to, or enter into contracts with, State educational agencies, local educational agencies, institutions of higher education, and other public and private entities to improve the interstate and intrastate coordination among such agencies' educational programs, including through the establishment or improvement of programs for credit accrual and exchange, available to migratory children.
(2) Duration
Grants under this subsection may be awarded for not more than 5 years.
(b) Student records
(1) Assistance
The Secretary shall assist States in the electronic transfer of student records and in determining the number of migratory children in each State.
(2) Information system
(A) In general
The Secretary, in consultation with the States, shall ensure the linkage of migrant student record systems for the purpose of electronically exchanging, among the States, health and educational information regarding all migratory students eligible under this part. The Secretary shall ensure that such linkage occurs in a cost-effective manner, utilizing systems used by the States prior to, or developed after, December 10, 2015. Such information may include—
(i) immunization records and other health information;
(ii) elementary and secondary academic history (including partial credit), credit accrual, and results from State assessments under
(iii) other academic information essential to ensuring that migratory children achieve to the challenging State academic standards; and
(iv) eligibility for services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act [
(B) Consultation
The Secretary shall maintain ongoing consultation with the States, local educational agencies, and other migratory student service providers on—
(i) the effectiveness of the system described in subparagraph (A); and
(ii) the ongoing improvement of such system.
(C) Notice and comment
After consulting with the States under subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall publish a notice in the Federal Register seeking public comment on any new proposed data elements that each State receiving funds under this part shall be required to collect for purposes of electronic transfer of migratory student information and the requirements that States shall meet for immediate electronic access to such information.
(3) No cost for certain transfers
A State educational agency or local educational agency receiving assistance under this part shall make student records available to another State educational agency or local educational agency that requests the records at no cost to the requesting agency, if the request is made in order to meet the needs of a migratory child.
(c) Availability of funds
For the purpose of carrying out this section in any fiscal year, the Secretary shall reserve not more than $10,000,000 of the amount appropriated to carry out this part for such year.
(d) Incentive grants
From the amounts made available to carry out this section for any fiscal year, the Secretary may reserve not more than $3,000,000 to award grants of not more than $250,000 on a competitive basis to State educational agencies that propose a consortium arrangement with another State or other appropriate entity that the Secretary determines, pursuant to criteria that the Secretary shall establish, will improve the delivery of services to migratory children whose education is interrupted.
(e) Data collection
The Secretary shall direct the National Center for Education Statistics to collect data on migratory children.
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Editorial Notes
References in Text
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, referred to in subsec. (b)(2)(A)(iv), is title VI of
Prior Provisions
A prior section 6398,
Amendments
2015—Subsec. (a)(1).
Subsec. (b)(1).
Subsec. (b)(2)(A).
Subsec. (b)(2)(A)(ii).
Subsec. (b)(2)(A)(iii).
Subsec. (b)(2)(B), (C).
Subsec. (b)(4).
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date of 2015 Amendment
Amendment by
§6399. Definitions
As used in this part:
(1) Local operating agency
The term "local operating agency" means—
(A) a local educational agency to which a State educational agency makes a subgrant under this part;
(B) a public or private agency with which a State educational agency or the Secretary makes an arrangement to carry out a project under this part; or
(C) a State educational agency, if the State educational agency operates the State's migrant education program or projects directly.
(2) Migratory agricultural worker
The term "migratory agricultural worker" means an individual who made a qualifying move in the preceding 36 months and, after doing so, engaged in new temporary or seasonal employment or personal subsistence in agriculture, which may be dairy work or the initial processing of raw agricultural products. If an individual did not engage in such new employment soon after a qualifying move, such individual may be considered a migratory agricultural worker if the individual actively sought such new employment and has a recent history of moves for temporary or seasonal agricultural employment.
(3) Migratory child
The term "migratory child" means a child or youth who made a qualifying move in the preceding 36 months—
(A) as a migratory agricultural worker or a migratory fisher; or
(B) with, or to join, a parent or spouse who is a migratory agricultural worker or a migratory fisher.
(4) Migratory fisher
The term "migratory fisher" means an individual who made a qualifying move in the preceding 36 months and, after doing so, engaged in new temporary or seasonal employment or personal subsistence in fishing. If the individual did not engage in such new employment soon after the move, the individual may be considered a migratory fisher if the individual actively sought such new employment and has a recent history of moves for temporary or seasonal fishing employment.
(5) Qualifying move
The term "qualifying move" means a move due to economic necessity—
(A) from one residence to another residence; and
(B) from one school district to another school district, except—
(i) in the case of a State that is comprised of a single school district, wherein a qualifying move is from one administrative area to another within such district; or
(ii) in the case of a school district of more than 15,000 square miles, wherein a qualifying move is a distance of 20 miles or more to a temporary residence.
(
Editorial Notes
Prior Provisions
A prior section 6399,
Amendments
2015—Par. (1)(B).
Pars. (2) to (5).
"(A) has moved from one school district to another;
"(B) in a State that is comprised of a single school district, has moved from one administrative area to another within such district; or
"(C) resides in a school district of more than 15,000 square miles, and migrates a distance of 20 miles or more to a temporary residence to engage in a fishing activity."
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date of 2015 Amendment
Amendment by